The McDaniel College Music Department will open to the public class lectures in its course “Einstein’s Dreams,” based on the novel by Alan Lightman. The book describes the ephemeral dreams of young Einstein as he created his theory of relativity.

Lectures are held 4:45-6 p.m. Wednesdays in Levine Music Recital Hall room 102. They are free and require no prior reservations. For more information, call 410-857-2294. (Course credit is only available for registered students).

The course takes an interdisciplinary approach with guest lecture topics ranging from physics to history, and from theatre to music. To that end, the course is part of the build-up to the September 17 world premier of a new choral work based on “Einstein’s Dreams.”

Chamber Music on the Hill, Masterworks Chorale, McDaniel College students, and members of the public will perform in the work, composed by former Artist-in-Residence Lorraine Whittlesey.

The lecture series dates are as follows:

• Feb. 1 ‘“Einstein’s Dreams’ the Book,” Henry Reiff, Associate Dean of Students
• Feb. 8 “Relativity for Dummies,” Assistant Professor of Physics Jeff Marx
• Feb. 15 ‘“Einstein's Dreams - The Score,” Composer Lorraine L. Whittlesey
• Feb. 22 “Book and Score - Cascading Creativity,” Music Professor Margaret Boudreaux
• Mar. 1 “1905 The Miraculous Year and 20th Century Science,” Mathematics Professor Emeritus and College Historian James Lightner
• April. 5 “Einstein's Nightmares - Nazi Germany's Brain Drain,” Foreign Languages Associate Professor Mohammed Esa
• April 19 “Becoming Einstein,” Performance Artist Joe Cimino
• April 26 “The Contradictions of Genius,” Psychology Lecturer Paul Mazerof